Fifty years ago, men of the Fourth Brigade of Marines,
2d Division of Regulars and of the Day Wing, Northern
Bombing Group took part in a memorable series of campaigns
in France as part of the American Expeditionary Force.
The names of many of the battles in which they fought, in particular
Belleau Wood, became household words to their
countrymen0
In part to provide a record of the Marine Corps'
efforts in World War I, the then Commandant, Major General
George Barnett, directed that a Historical Division be es-
tablished at Marine Corps Headqi.iarters and that a history of
our participation in that war be written.
This monograph, The United States Marines in the World
War by Major Edwin N. McClellan, first published in 1920 and
long out of print, has proved to be an accurate, highly use-
ful, and concise accounting of the growth, activities, and
combat exploits of Marines.
It is particularly fitting that
we republish Major McClellan's work in this anniversary year
for the many persons, Marines and others, who have expressed
interest in this important segment of our history.
In a larger sense, this republication is also a tribute
to its author.
Lieutenant Colonel McClellan retired in 1936
after 29 years of distinguished service to the Marine Corps.
Twice the head of the Historical Division (1919-1925 and
1930-1933), he wrote a monumental source history of the early
years of the Marine Corps, which was made available in manu-
script form to many major public and university libraries.
"McClellan's History" is still the essential starting point
for any meaningful research into our past.
In addition, this
dedicated officer wrote numerous articles for professional
publications that exposed an entire generation of Marines to the interesting facts, personalities, and events of their
heritage0
It is with pleasure that I authorize the republication
of this work and commend again a man who in his time was
the Marine Corps historian0
L. F. CHAPMAN
JR.
General,
U.S. Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Co